Description
Why the Siglo IV Deserves More Respect Than It Gets
I’m probably biased here, but the Cohiba Siglo IV is the most underappreciated cigar in the entire Linea lineup. There, I said it. While everyone obsesses over the Siglo VI or chases the Behike, this Corona Gorda sits quietly on shelves, delivering a smoking experience that punches way above what most people expect. I think it was back in 2007 – maybe 2008 – when I first realized this particular vitola had something special going on. My buddy Carlos from the cigar club kept insisting I try one, and honestly, I’d been sleeping on it. Big mistake.
What you’re about to discover is why this 5.6-inch beauty represents everything Cohiba does right when they’re not trying to impress anyone. No flashy packaging gimmicks, no limited edition hype – just exceptional tobacco from Vuelta Abajo doing exactly what it’s supposed to do.
The Middle Child That Grew Up to Surprise Everyone
Cohiba introduced the Linea 1492 series in 1992 to celebrate – you guessed it – the 500th anniversary of Columbus discovering the Americas. The Siglo IV landed right in the middle of the original five vitolas, and middle children often get overlooked. But that’s where the magic happened with this one.
The thing about this particular format is that it gives those triple-fermented Cohiba leaves enough real estate to develop complexity without dragging on for two hours. You get about 50-60 minutes of smoking time, which is perfect for that post-dinner ritual or when you’ve got a lazy Saturday afternoon ahead. The 46 ring gauge might seem modest by today’s standards – especially if you’re coming from Rocky Patel or other New World brands that seem to think bigger is always better – but trust me on this. This size lets the wrapper influence the blend more than those baseball bat-sized vitolas ever could.
Cohiba pulls from the finest vegas in the Vuelta Abajo region for these, and yeah, I know every Cuban brand claims that, but with Habanos’ flagship label, it’s actually true. The wrappers go through that extra fermentation process that gives Cohibas their distinctive character. Some people describe it as “grassy” but I think that’s lazy tasting note shorthand. What they mean is that unique, almost creamy quality that you don’t find in Montecristo or other marcas.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Vitola | Siglo IV (Corona Gorda) |
| Length | 5.6 inches / 143 mm |
| Ring Gauge | 46 |
| Wrapper | Cuban (Vuelta Abajo) |
| Binder | Cuban |
| Filler | Cuban blend (triple-fermented) |
| Strength | Medium to Medium-Full |
| Smoking Time | 50-60 minutes |
What Actually Happens When You Light One Up
The cold draw on a properly stored Siglo IV gives you hints of what’s coming – slight sweetness, maybe some hay notes, definitely that Cohiba signature. But nothing really prepares you for that first draw after you toast the foot properly. And please, toast it properly. I’ve seen too many people torch these things like they’re lighting a campfire.
Right out of the gate, you get this creamy smoke texture that coats your palate. The first third opens with cedar – and I mean that specific cedar note that reminds me of walking into my grandfather’s study where he kept his humidor. There’s white pepper on the retrohale, but it’s polite about it. Not aggressive like some Nicaraguan puros that feel like they’re attacking your sinuses. Alongside that, you’ll pick up leather notes and this subtle nuttiness that some people call almond but I think leans more toward hazelnut.
The burn line on these is usually razor-sharp if you’re not smoking in wind or letting it rest too long between puffs. The ash builds up in that classic light-grey color, holding on for a solid inch and a half before you need to think about tapping it. During a poker night last month, mine held for almost two inches before my friend knocked the table and sent it tumbling. That ash quality tells you everything about how well these are constructed.
Second third is where the Siglo IV really starts showing off. The complexity ramps up – now you’re getting cocoa notes joining the cedar, and there’s this coffee undertone that wasn’t there before. Maybe espresso? The creaminess remains but now there’s more body behind it. The strength inches up from medium toward medium-full territory, but it never crosses into that full-bodied punch that would overshadow the flavors. Some earthiness creeps in too, that characteristic Cuban tobacco taste that’s almost impossible to describe but you know it when you encounter it.
The final third – and this is where some Cohibas can get harsh or bitter if they’re young – stays remarkably smooth on these if you’ve got at least a year or two of age on them. The pepper returns, stronger now on the retrohale. The earth and leather notes become more prominent. There’s a sweetness that lingers underneath everything else, keeping it balanced. I’ve smoked these down to the nub more times than I probably should have, and I’ve rarely gotten that acrid taste that tells you it’s time to put it down.
How It Stacks Up Against the Competition
| Cigar | Strength | Smoking Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cohiba Siglo IV | Medium to Medium-Full | 50-60 minutes | Experienced smokers wanting complexity without commitment |
| Montecristo No. 2 | Medium-Full | 60-75 minutes | Special occasions, those who love figurados |
| Partagás Serie D No. 4 | Full | 45-55 minutes | Bold flavor seekers, morning smoke |
Comparing this to a Montecristo No. 2 isn’t entirely fair since that’s a torpedo and this is a straight corona gorda, but they occupy similar price territory and smoking time. The Monte brings more punch and that distinctive Montecristo spice, but I find the Siglo IV more nuanced. It’s like comparing a bold Cabernet to a well-aged Bordeaux blend – both excellent, different purposes.
Against the Partagás Serie D No. 4? No contest for refinement. The Partagás hits you over the head with flavor – which is fantastic when that’s what you want – but the Siglo IV is the more sophisticated smoke. If the Serie D No. 4 is Saturday morning with coffee, the Siglo IV is Saturday evening with cognac.
What to Drink While You’re Smoking This Thing
I’ve paired this cigar with everything from single malt Scotch to rum to – don’t judge me – a really good root beer once when I wasn’t drinking. The Scotch pairing works beautifully if you go with something from Speyside. That Glenfiddich 15 or Balvenie DoubleWood brings out the sweet notes in the cigar without overwhelming it. Skip the heavily peated Islay malts unless you want a wrestling match in your mouth.
Rum is the traditional Cuban pairing, right? A good añejo rum like Havana Club 7 Year or Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva complements those cocoa and coffee notes in the second third perfectly. There’s something about aged rum and aged Cuban tobacco that just makes sense together – probably because they’re often aged in the same climate.
Coffee works too, especially if you’re smoking this after a long lunch. A proper espresso or Cuban coffee cuts through the creaminess and resets your palate between draws. And timing-wise? This is an evening cigar for me. Late afternoon at the earliest. It’s too refined for morning smoking, and you want your palate fresh enough to appreciate what it’s offering. Save your morning slot for something more straightforward.
How long should I age a Siglo IV before smoking it?
At minimum, give these six months to a year after you receive them to let any shipping stress settle down. But honestly? Two to three years of proper humidor time at 65-68% humidity and these really hit their stride. I’ve got some from 2019 that are smoking beautifully right now. The harshness smooths out and the flavors integrate better with age.
Is the Siglo IV stronger than other Cohibas?
It sits right in the middle of the Linea range for strength. Not as mild as the Siglo I or II, but nowhere near as full-bodied as the Siglo VI. If you’re stepping up from mild cigars, this might feel medium-full to you. For regular Cuban smokers, it’s solidly medium with a bit of kick in the final third.
Why does my Siglo IV taste different from my friend’s?
Storage conditions, age, and even the box date matter hugely with Cubans. A Siglo IV from 2022 that’s been sitting in a 75% humidity humidor will smoke completely different from one from 2020 stored at 65%. Also, Cuban cigars have more variation box to box than people want to admit. It’s hand-made tobacco, not a factory widget.
Can I smoke this if I usually prefer Rocky Patel or other New World cigars?
You can, but adjust your expectations. This won’t have that in-your-face flavor intensity that many non-Cuban premiums deliver. Cuban cigars, especially Cohibas, are about subtlety and refinement. If you’re used to Patel’s bolder blends, give your palate a few Cuban cigars to recalibrate before you judge this one. The complexity is there, just expressed differently.
How do I know if my Siglo IV is fake?
Buy from authorized dealers with proper shipping documentation from Habanos distributors, period. If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. Real Siglo IVs have specific band details, consistent construction, and that unmistakable Cohiba aroma. But honestly, the counterfeit market is so good now that authentication often requires expert inspection. Source matters more than anything.
What’s the best way to cut and light a Siglo IV?
I use a straight cut about 2mm from the cap, never a punch on these since you want that full draw to appreciate the smoke volume. For lighting, use a butane torch or cedar spills if you’re feeling traditional. Toast the foot evenly without touching the flame directly to the tobacco, then take slow draws to get it going. Rush this process and you’ll get a bitter start that colors the whole experience.
Should I smoke this on an empty stomach?
Probably not unless you’re a seasoned smoker. The nicotine content isn’t outrageous, but medium-full strength on an empty stomach can leave you feeling lightheaded or nauseous. I always recommend having this after a meal, which is how Cubans traditionally enjoy their cigars anyway. Food in your system helps you focus on the flavors rather than the nicotine hit.
Final Thoughts From Someone Who’s Smoked Too Many of These
The Cohiba Siglo IV doesn’t scream for attention, and maybe that’s exactly why it deserves yours. While everyone’s chasing limited editions or arguing about which Montecristo is best, this Corona Gorda just keeps delivering that refined Cohiba experience without the drama. It’s complex enough to keep experienced smokers engaged but approachable enough that it won’t punish you for being slightly distracted.
If you’re building a Cuban cigar rotation, this needs to be in it. Not as your only Cohiba – you should definitely try the other Siglos to see where your preferences land – but as that reliable, sophisticated smoke that works for most occasions. Whether you’re new to Habanos or you’ve been smoking Cubans since before the Linea existed, the Siglo IV has something to offer.
Stock your humidor with a few of these, give them some time to settle in, and discover what the middle child of the Siglo family has been quietly perfecting all these years. You won’t regret it.
